Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
The THAAD missile defense system destroys incoming ballistic missiles during their final or "terminal" phase of flight. A THAAD battery consists of 95 soldiers, 6 launchers, a radar unit, fire control vehicles, and a communications module.
Can engage targets just outside Earth's atmosphere
"Kill vehicle"
6.2 m
Booster separates from "kill vehicle"
Booster
Fire control and communication support
Launcher with 8 interceptors
THAAD Interceptor
XN-TPY-2 Radar unit
Range: 200 km
Diameter: 0.4 m
Altitude: 40 - 150 km
Weight: ~ 662 kg
Interceptor is launched when target in range
Radar with a range of up to 2,000 km detects incoming threat
"Kill vehicle" collides with target, destroying it
Can engage targets just outside Earth's atmosphere
"Kill vehicle"
6.2 m
Booster separates from "kill vehicle"
Booster
Fire control and communication support
Launcher with 8 interceptors
THAAD Interceptor
XN-TPY-2 Radar unit
Range: 200 km
Diameter: 0.4 m
Altitude: 40 - 150 km
Weight: ~ 662 kg
Interceptor is launched when target in range
Radar with a range of up to 2,000 km detects incoming threat
"Kill vehicle" collides with target, destroying it
Can engage targets just outside Earth's atmosphere
Booster separates from "kill vehicle"
Fire control and communication support
Launcher with 8 interceptors
XN-TPY-2 Radar unit
Radar, with a range of up to 2,000 km detects incoming threat
"Kill vehicle"
Interceptor is launched when target in range
6.2 m
"Kill vehicle" collides with target, destroying it
Booster
THAAD Interceptor
Range: 200 km
Diameter: 0.4 m
Altitude: 40 - 150 km
Weight: ~ 662 kg